gombeen
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of gombeen
1860–65; < Irish gaimbín interest, especially exorbitant interest, literally, bit, small piece, diminutive of gamba lump, hunk
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some had run so far behind that the gombeen man had served writs on them, obtained judgment against their holdings, and could evict them at pleasure.
From What's the Matter with Ireland? by Russell, Ruth
There was doubt on the faces of those tied to the gombeen man.
From What's the Matter with Ireland? by Russell, Ruth
His father had confided to him that they were in great debt to the gombeen man.
From What's the Matter with Ireland? by Russell, Ruth
But the gombeen man presented him with a bill for twenty-one shillings and three pence.
From What's the Matter with Ireland? by Russell, Ruth
The reign of the gombeen man is over.
From The National Being Some Thoughts on an Irish Polity by Russell, George William
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
